NO REVIEWS AVAILABLE

The title has not been reviewed. Be the first to write a review by clicking here to start.

84 Charing Cross Road

Anna V. Karras

2014-05-20

What a combo: directed by Mel Brooks, and Anne Bancroft as the quintessential New Yorker of a certain age with a passion for English lit; lucking out on the occasional first edition. Helene Hanff, single, frugal, clacking away on a typewriter and soaking up NYC life in the 1950s. Her correspondent in London, head clerk of a rare books shop, modest, gently humerous, married, and supplier of Helene's biblio habit:the estimable Anthony Hopkins as Frank Doel.
One would never believe that the Brits, victors in WWII and after that conflict ended in 1945, soldiered on for another 9 years in abject penury and imposed food rations. Without getting didactic this film is a study of 2 cities and 2 cultures involving 2people who are satisfied with very little outside their own heads.
Helene writes Marks & Co., asking for a book not to be found on our shores. Frank sends a copy on to her. What develops is a relationship based on mutual hunger. Helene discovers how truly dreadful conditions are in England. Although the care packages she sends to Marks & Co. are unsolicited, they are like manna from heaven to the employees. In turn, Frank cheerfully searches for the volumes she wants. The correspondence begins formally and
progresses to a finely tuned affection.
Helene Hanff was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. She wrote books. She never made much money. Eventually she traveled to London.

Your Name

Your Email (optional)

Your Location (optional)

Rate the acting of the Lead Performers

Rate the acting of the Supporting Cast

Rate the Director

Rating of the Music Score

Rating of the Title Sequence

Screenplay

Creatively uses the camera to tell the story

Importance in Cinema history

Would you recommend for fans of this genre

Title of your Review

Your Review

Character Limit! You have reached the 2,000 word character limit for this review.

*We protect your personal information and will not provide it to anyone without your consent. For a complete explanation, please refer to TCM's Privacy Policy. By submitting your contribution, you agree to TCM's Terms of Use.